McDonald, Mevis earn Big 12 honors

Iowa State Cyclones defensive end Will McDonald IV (9) hits Texas Longhorns quarterback Hudson Card (1) as the Longhorns take on the Cyclones in Ames, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.

The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletic Communications.

IRVING, Texas – A pair of Cyclone football players were honored by the Big Conference today for their performances against Texas. Defensive end Will McDonald IV was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and placekicker Andrew Mevis received Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week accolades, announced today by the league office.

Both players earned their respective awards for the second time this season.

McDonald IV posted another dominating effort in Iowa State’s 30-7 victory over Texas on Saturday, registering career highs in tackles (six) and sacks (2.5). He also had a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

A native of Pewaukee, Wis., McDonald IV was a key player in ISU’s second-half surge on Saturday, as the Cyclones outscored (27-0) and outgained (296-81) the Longhorns after intermission.

It was the third time this season McDonald IV had two or more sacks in a game. He’s currently second in the Big 12 and fifth nationally in sacks at 10.0.

McDonald IV became ISU’s all-time career sack leader (27.5) in the victory and his 20.5 sacks since 2020 is the most in the nation. His 27.5 sacks is seventh all-time in Big 12 history.

Mevis was perfect again against Texas, making all three field goals and all three PATs. He drilled a 51-yarder in the fourth quarter, his second-longest kick of the season. It marks the first time since 2012 a Cyclone kicker has made two 50+ yard field goals in a season.

A native of Warsaw, Ind., Mevis has made 88.2 pct. of his field goals (15-of-17), on pace to be the second-best season clip in ISU history and is 9-of-11 on kicks from 40 yards or longer. His nine made field goals of 40+ yards are the most by a Cyclone in a season and ranks second nationally among FBS kickers.

Mevis is currently riding a streak of 11-straight field goals made, tying for the second-best string in school history and the fourth-best active streak nationally.

Jared Stansbury

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Jared a native of Clarinda, Iowa, started as the Cyclone Fanatic intern in August 2013, primarily working as a videographer until starting on the women’s basketball beat prior to the 2014-15 season. Upon earning his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State in May 2016, Jared was hired as the site’s full-time staff writer, taking over as the primary day-to-day reporter on football and men’s basketball. He was elevated to the position of managing editor in January 2020. He is a regular contributor on 1460 KXNO in Des Moines and makes regular guest appearances on radio stations across the Midwest. Jared resides in Ankeny with his four-year-old puggle, Lolo.

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